A Unique Sight: “Smaller” Rafale M Refuels “Bigger” Airbus A400M Mid-Air

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Mid-air refueling operations are routine for military combat pilots.

However, it was an unusual sight when a French Navy Rafale M fighter jet refueled an Airbus A400 transport aircraft mid-flight.

Typically, larger aircraft refuel smaller ones, but in this instance, the Rafale, a much smaller aircraft, performed refueling for the significantly larger Airbus A400M.

The operation, conducted recently in French airspace, saw a French Air Force (Armée de l’Air) A400M approach the Rafale M for refueling using the NARANG refueling pod developed by Safran.

Although this refueling capability has existed since 2021, the recent test was the first involving the A400M and was conducted at slower airspeeds to replicate conditions required for the E-2 Hawkeye surveillance aircraft.

In a LinkedIn post, Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) shared an image of the Rafale M positioned ahead of the A400M, connected via a refueling hose.

Brief

A French Navy Rafale M fighter jet performed an unusual mid-air refueling operation by refueling a larger Airbus A400M transport aircraft, reversing typical refueling roles. Conducted in French airspace, the test utilized Safran’s advanced NARANG pod, capable of transferring fuel at up to 1,000 liters per minute.

This test, the first involving the A400M, simulated the slower airspeeds required for refueling France’s upcoming fleet of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Currently, France operates three E-2C Hawkeyes, which lack mid-air refueling capability, but will replace them with E-2D variants by 2027.

The operation highlights the challenges of refueling at low speeds, as the NARANG pod’s propeller-powered fuel pumps lose efficiency. The test aims to ensure the system meets the demands of future operations, underscoring its importance for French naval and airborne capabilities.

According to the DGA, the A400M served as a stand-in for the E-2 Hawkeye, which is currently in service with France and will soon receive a new variant capable of mid-air refueling.

The E-2 Hawkeye, an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, operates from carriers alongside the Rafale M on the French Navy’s flagship, Charles de Gaulle.

The test aimed to evaluate the performance of Safran’s NARANG pod at reduced airspeeds, a critical requirement for refueling France’s upcoming fleet of E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes.

This scenario poses challenges for the NARANG pod, which uses a propeller to generate power for its fuel pumps.

At lower speeds, the propeller becomes less efficient, potentially reducing fuel flow.

The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is operated by the United States and several other nations, including France, Japan, and Taiwan.

The French Navy currently operates three E-2C aircraft, which lack mid-air refueling capability. However, the upcoming E-2D variant will include this feature.

France is expected to take delivery of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes by the end of 2027, replacing its existing E-2C fleet.

The NARANG (nacelle de ravitaillement nouvelle génération) pod developed by Safran can transfer fuel at rates of 750 to 1,000 liters per minute, a significant improvement over the 530 liters per minute of the previous system.

The latest pod also features integrated test and self-diagnostic systems, enhancing troubleshooting and maintenance capabilities.– DSA